Environmental Project, 942 – Substance flow analysis of resorcinol

Substance Flow Analysis of Resorcinol

2 Applications in Denmark

2.1 Manufacture of wood products
2.2 Manufacture of rubber products
2.3 Manufacture of iron and steel products
2.4 Hair dye products
2.5 Pharmaceutical products
2.6 Chemical industry

According to the Danish Product Register, the most frequent industrial sectors consuming resorcinol are:

Manufacture of wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials
Manufacture of rubber products
Rethreading and rebuilding of rubber tyres
Manufacture of cast iron tubes
Casting of iron
Casting of steel
Manufacture of machinery and equipment
General construction of buildings and civil engineering works
Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles

In the following sections the main applications in the above industrial sectors are described briefly, together with applications in three additional industries, namely cosmetic, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, all of which consumes some of the resorcinol imported to Denmark.

For some of the industries, applications of resorcinol can be identified precisely whereas for others, it has not been possible to verify actual use.

2.1 Manufacture of wood products

High quality wood glues and hardeners can be made from resorcinol, phenol, and formaldehyde. These resorcinol-phenol-formaldehyde resins are used for load bearing constructions and laminated wood constructions, including plywood, especially where water resistance must be achieved.

2.2 Manufacture of rubber products

Resorcinol is used in the rubber industry as a primer in coating of fabric with latex, e.g. on cords, tires and mechanical rubber goods like conveyer belts and forklarV-belts. It is also used as a glue in manufacturing of rubber products, e.g. when joining the ends of a conveyor belt.

2.3 Manufacture of iron and steel products

Resorcinol is believed to be used as a primer for rubber coating of products of iron and steel. It is also possible to use RFL (resorcinol-formaldehyde latex) dip for direct coating with latex on iron and steel.

2.4 Hair dye products

Resorcinol is used in many hair dye products because it has a unique functionality as a coupler. Some products contain up to 2% resorcinol, but the majority of products contain less than 1%. The EU Cosmetics Directive (76/768/EEC) permits a content of resorcinol in hair dye products up to 5% and in hair lotion and shampoo up to 0.5%.

2.5 Pharmaceutical products

Resorcinol is found in one pharmaceutical product in Denmark, i.e. in eye drops that can be bought without prescription. Some years ago resorcinol was also found in a number of ointments against diseases like psoriasis and acne, but such products are no longer marketed in Denmark.

2.6 Chemical industry

Resorcinol is used in chemical synthesis in Denmark, but the industrial survey made by the Confederation of Danish Industries did not reveal information of the synthesis products.

Resorcinol is also used in Danish production of wood glue, e.g. as a component in a phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde glue.